Our first Florida holiday

[Bobbles]

OK, we are going for 3 weeks from July 24th and we are hoping to cram in most things.

I understand from the postings here that there needs to be balance between full on touring of parks and rest time so I have attempted to plan some "free" time in and avoid full days where I feel we can. All bar one main meal will more than likely be off the parks so we only have the one ADR.

I'm also conscious that the Shuttle launch may be delayed so everything after that date is tentative bar Cirque du Soleil (which is a surprise so don't tell DW and the kids ;) )

Anyway onto our itinerary. The cast DW, DS(14), DD(9) and myself.

July

Thur 24th - Fly MAN - MCO (no plans for arrival just get bearings and flop)

Fri 25th - Animal Kingdom (Early start) (All early starts are based on leaving the park early PM to recover)

Sat 26th - Epcot (Early start)

Sun 27th - Blizzard Beach

Mon 28th - Magic Kingdom (Early start)

Tue 29th - Disney Hollywood Studios (Early start)

Wed 30th - Typhoon Lagoon

Thur 31st - Shopping / Disney Hollywood Studios (Afternoon start for Fantasmic)

August

Fri 1st - Epcot (Afternoon start thru to evening to see Illuminations)

Sat 2nd - Magic Kingdom (Later start / ADR 18:10 at Crystal Palace) Wishes, SpectroMagic.

Sun 3rd - Discovery Cove

Mon 4th - Islands of Adventure (Considering booking on site hotel to take advantage of FOTL passes)

Tue 5th - Universal Studios

Wed 6th - Free Day

Thur 7th - Shuttle Launch

Fri 8th - Aquatica / Shopping

Sat 9th - Seaworld

Sun 10th - Free

Mon 11th - Busch Gardens

Tue 12th - Free

Wed 13th - Free / Cirque du Soleil

Thur 14th - Gatorland / Fly home

Although not shown in my head we would also like to fit in a trip to KSC, DisneyQuest, Celebration and do an airboat ride but apart from KSC which will need a day I guess the others can be fitted in where and when to match our mood and energy levels.

Any thoughts/feedback would be greatly appreciated. :thumbs-up

Cheers

Bobbles

[Princess Ploppy]

Looks great! My only suggestion would be to move the Blizzard Beach visit to a weekday as the water parks tend to get very busy on the weekends as they are very popular with the locals!

I'm off for 3 weeks from 26th July so pretty much the same time you're there!!

[ali-s]

Looks just about perfect - though I agree with moving BB if you can.

[Finn family]

Great planning hope it all comes together for you.. :thumbs-up

[queenofthenile]

Looks perfect to me, have you any room for me.

[kool kat]

SOUNDS GREAT...............................
WE ARE GOING FOR THREE WEEKS ON IST AUG ..................................


CANT WAIT..

JUST KNOW YOU ARE GOING TO LOVE IT WHAT HOTEL ARE YOU STAYING IN :thumbs-up

[Bobbles]

Hey thanks all for your positive comments. I'm going to show them to my colleagues at work as they believe I'm a bit obsessive with the planning and can't WAIT for me to go as it is the only thing I talk about. :blush: I'll take on board the BB comments and tweak it to avoid a weekend as we do have capacity to move bits around.

We are staying at the Fairfield Inn just off I-drive. I understand that I-drive is frantic/touristy but as we live just outside Blackpool we can cope ;). My only concern with the arrangement is the thought of the kids being in the same room for 3 weeks.

Princess Ploppy - if you see a family racing round with the father saying "Its 10:15 so we must be on....." and the kids going, "but dad we are on holiday", then thats us!! I must try to remember it is a holiday......

I have to say that I do enjoy all the planning and the research its like making your holiday a year long. The Dibb is great cos' I'm now telling people at work who have been loads about things they didn't know existed. Thanks all.

Bobbles

[ali-s]

Hey thanks all for your positive comments. I'm going to show them to my colleagues at work as they believe I'm a bit obsessive with the planning and can't WAIT for me to go as it is the only thing I talk about. :blush: I'll take on board the BB comments and tweak it to avoid a weekend as we do have capacity to move bits around.

Bobbles

:pgig: :pgig: Thank God for the dibb aye? ! I know the last two trips I had to keep reminding myself that not everyone was as interested in my plans as me ! at least you can rely on dibbers to share the excitement.

[DebbieJRoss]

I think that that is true, its great to be able to converse with people who are interested and enjoy hearing and sharing holiday plans and tips. Its all i seem to think off these days. I love looking at everyones trip reports and itineraries. Debbie

[disneydaft70]

We are staying at the Fairfield Inn just off I-drive. I understand that I-drive is frantic/touristy but as we live just outside Blackpool we can cope ;). My only concern with the arrangement is the thought of the kids being in the same room for 3 weeks.



I would never say I Drive is "frantic/touristy". I actually think I Drive is a pretty laid back place. You'll love it!!!

Your itinerary looks fab, you're so lucky to go for 3 weeks, so much easier pace wise I reckon?

Enjoy!!! :wavey:

JA x

[Fizzy Fish]

I agree with the last comment re I Drive, it's great! We loved staying there.

You'll have a blast :)

[highlander447]

There a few tour operators that do an airboat ride and KSC together, your plan looks well thought out

[Princess Ploppy]

Princess Ploppy - if you see a family racing round with the father saying "Its 10:15 so we must be on....." and the kids going, "but dad we are on holiday", then thats us!! I must try to remember it is a holiday......

Bobbles

Will look out for you!! To be honest I'll probably be saying something similar and I've been about 20+ times!!! Its part of the fun!

[Bobbles]

Again thanks all for comments especially about I drive as I have read a few less favourable comments about i-drive and wondered if we had done the right thing. I'm getting excited now just reading your comments. Ok I have been excited since booking it 5 months ago.... :D

Cheers

Bobbles

[Bridget]

Top end of I-Drive is a bit rougher than the rest of it but I've never felt uneasy.

How exciting - your first trip. :D

I just did a search as I was checking other peoples' itineraries for those going for 3 weeks - lucky us eh?! So I may be pinching some of your plans... hee hee

Had Blizzard Beach for a saturday too so that's getting slotted elsewhere. Blimey - got loads of days to play with - it's BRILLIANT! :spin:

[ticky15]

we'll be there then too , will keep a look out for you all xxx :grin::grin:

[carys]

We will be there at a similar time for 3 weeks too ! Your itinerary looks god. I can see why you are concerned about 3 weeks in one room with the kids I would be too but it is better than not going lol AK is a great choice for first day as you will be up early and it is small enough to do quickley enough . What is your ADR ? Have you thought about booking a Fantasmic dinner package ? It doesn't cost extra but you get priority seating for the show , last in and first out so no queuing.

[pudding]

Hi
we will be there at the same time....I can't find anything about the shuttle launch on the 7th as i would love to see that....Can anybody help?
Thanks